Method of Fabricating Optical Fiber

Abstract

A method of making an optical fiber article can include providing an optical fiber including at least a core; providing a preform; and subsequent to the foregoing providing of the optical fiber and the preform, drawing the preform so as to dispose a region about the optical fiber. An optical fiber article can include a core; a pump cladding disposed about the core, the pump cladding for propagating pump light; and a second cladding disposed about the pump cladding, where the second cladding can provide a photonic bandgap for tending to confine pump light to a region about which the second cladding is disposed. The second cladding can comprise a plurality of layers including a first layer having a different optical property than a second layer, and the plurality of layers can be arranged as to provide the photonic bandgap effect.

1 . A method of making an optical fiber article, comprising:
 providing an optical fiber comprising at least a core;   providing a preform; and   subsequent to the foregoing providing of the optical fiber and the preform, drawing the preform so as to dispose a region about the optical fiber.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the preform comprises a first polymer. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the first polymer comprises a polyimide. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the region comprises a second polymer. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the second polymer is substantially identical to the first polymer. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the preform comprises a metal. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the preform comprises a first metal and a first polymer and wherein the region comprises a second metal and a second polymer. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the preform defines an aperture and wherein drawing the preform comprises passing the optical fiber through the aperture. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing the preform comprises providing a sheet material and forming the sheet material into a tube. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein providing the preform comprises fusing adjacent portions of the tube together. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the tube comprises a spiral of the sheet material. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the sheet material includes a layer of a first material adhered to a layer of a second material that is different than the first material. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the first material comprises a metal and the second material comprises a polymer. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing the fiber comprises drawing the fiber from an optical fiber preform. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein drawing the fiber and drawing the preform to dispose the region about the optical fiber occur substantially contemporaneously. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing the optical fiber includes refraining from disposing a polymer protective region about the optical fiber. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  comprising providing an adhesion promoter while drawing the preform for promoting adhesion of the region to the fiber. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the adhesion promoter comprises a silane.